DNA extracted with optimized protocols can be genotyped to reconstruct the varietal composition of monovarietal wines

A new DNA extraction protocol has been established to reconstruct the genetic identity of grapevine cultivars used for the production of experimental and commercial monovarietal wines. Seven wines originating from Merlot, Pinot noir, Zinfandel, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Sangiovese, and Alicante were identified by simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis. The average quantity of Vitis vinifera DNA that can be extracted from wine, estimated by RT-PCR, was between 2,199 and 87,995 gc/mL. This is the first study that reports source vine identity reconstructed with a significant statistical correspondence (PI ≤ 10-6) in both experimental and commercial wines. © 2012 by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture. All rights reserved.